Brendan Rodgers hopes to convince Anfield legend Jamie Carragher to extend his
Liverpool career beyond this season, either as a player or a coach.

Carragher, who will captain Liverpool in their Europa League tie against Young Boys on Thursday evening, only has a year left on his contract as he contemplates possible retirement.

Rodgers believes that would be premature, and at the very least he will seek to ensure there is a backroom role for the 34 year-old once he stops playing.

“When I came in to the club I had a real good chat with Jamie and he wasn’t sure himself where he was at in terms of his career and where he was going,” said Rodgers.

“He’s been a stalwart and has been a regular until the last season, so he was wondering where he goes.

“I’ve been so impressed by Carra on and off the field. I think he can play on. There is no doubt. He’s one of the guys who is the soul of the club and there has to be a place for someone like him. Whether he wants to do, that is another thing.

“There’s no doubt there’s maybe that role beyond playing for him later on, but for me, what he has given me in these opening few months there is no reason he can’t play on for a few more years yet.

“I arrived into here and heard these stories about him kicking the ball long up the pitch, but this is one of the best technical players we have, left foot, right-foot touch on the ball, reading of the game, tactical intelligence, he has it all.

“OK, the legs may not be the same as they were six or seven years ago, but he still has a lot to contribute for me on the football field. His passions are for the football club, he wants what’s best for the club and I enjoy working with guys like that.”

It has been a season of readjustment for Carragher as he deputises for Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.

While Steven Gerrard, Luis Suárez and Joe Allen were among eight first-teamers left on Merseyside, Carragher, 34, will lead one of the most inexperienced sides ever to play for Liverpool in Europe.

Rodgers says that restricting Premier League action for him has been tough. “For me this is the hardest part of my job because every day of his life he comes in and he gives his all. He works to a standstill,” said the Liverpool manager.

“It is guys like that I want to put in the team when it matters. The Europa League matters, of course, but every player wants to play in the Premier League on Sunday.

“And that is the most difficult decision I have as the manager of Liverpool, seeing him every day give his life to the club as hard as he does and then not being able to give him a shirt in the starting 11 at the weekend.

“He is an incredible character and I can see why he has played more than 700 games for this club because his focus and concentration into his work is phenomenal.”